Sleeper [slee – per] n. : A player with the potential to have an unexpectedly good season. Someone everyone else is “sleeping” on.
With Organized Team Activities (OTA’s) in full swing, I think it’s time to start researching this year’s fantasy sleepers. Today, I want to concentrate on the quarterback position. Everyone knows the top players: Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, etc. Conversely, sleepers are players that are flying under the radar, the guys people may not be thinking about going into fantasy drafts. Putting the right sleepers onto your roster is often the catalyst for making your league’s playoffs.
When considering QB sleepers, it is important to know when to draft them. Because they are sleepers, you can wait until the later rounds to acquire them, which allows you the luxury of filling your roster with top-notch players at other positions. Here are my top ten quarterback sleepers for 2016.
- Blake Bortles JAGUARS
Last season, the Jags went 5-11, which is why most people didn’t notice Bortles putting up top four fantasy numbers while setting the franchise record for most passing yards in a season with 4,428 yards. Jacksonville was very active in free agency this past offseason, mostly on the defensive side, which should help the offense be even more productive in trying to win games as opposed to always coming from behind. He has two excellent wide receivers in Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson and has been working to build a better rapport with tight end Julius Thomas during OTA’s. All of these factors, in addition to a beefed up running game (thanks to the signing of Chris Ivory), make for a very promising 2016 for Bortles. Be careful waiting too long to draft the Jags’ record setting QB because not everyone will be asleep this time around.
- Derek Carr RAIDERS
One major element to a player’s success is the success of his team. The Raiders are poised for a playoff run for the first time since 2002. Carr’s yearly growth, along with General Manager Reggie McKenzie’s roster building, are two major reasons for the high expectations in Oakland. Wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree make up a young and talented receiving corps which also includes second year tight end Clive Walford. Carr has the weapons to put up even better numbers while trying to propel Oakland into the NFL’s upper echelon.
- Kirk Cousins REDSKINS
Cousins led the Redskins to a 9-7 record in 2015, good enough to win the lowly NFC East. He enters 2016 as the clear cut number one QB in Washington, which should add to Cousins’ confidence and ability to improve on his top eight fantasy performance from last year. His weapons include one of the top tight ends in the league, Jordan Reed, as well as a healthy DeSean Jackson and possession specialist Pierre Garcon at wide receivers. As with the previous QB’s mentioned, Cousins should benefit from his team’s active offseason, which makes him a perfect sleeper to wait on in your upcoming drafts.
- Teddy Bridgewater VIKINGS
Bridgewater led the Vikings to the playoffs last year despite only throwing 14 touchdowns. The rise of budding star Stefon Diggs at wide receiver should help improve those numbers. He tacked on 3 rushing touchdowns a season ago and must be considered a threat to run at any time. Having one of the best running backs in the league to hand the ball off to and keep opposing defenses at bay will allow the Vikings to take the reins off of their franchise QB. Look for Teddy to take full advantage of this freedom in 2016.
- Jameis Winston BUCCANEERS
Winston had an above average rookie season racking up over 4,000 yards through the air and rushing for 6 touchdowns. He has solid weapons including wide receivers Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. Like Bridgewater, Winston has the security of a great running game which will allow this second year QB to build upon a very good rookie campaign.
- Brock Osweiler TEXANS
Although he signed a big contract this summer, Osweiler really hasn’t done much thus far in his career mainly due to backing up one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. This makes him an ideal sleeper candidate for 2016. As well as adding a franchise QB, the Texans landed a top running back, Lamar Miller, in free agency hoping to team him up with “All World” wideout DeAndre Hopkins to make Houston’s offense as formidable as their defense. As with all sleepers, there are many risks involved with drafting them. Osweiler’s lack of previous production is his biggest knock. However, if he can take advantage of his weapons and lean on one of the best defenses in the NFL, Brock could provide huge rewards in 2016.
- Marcus Mariota TITANS
Calling Mariota a sleeper here in the Northwest may seem absurd, but his mediocre rookie year is what puts him in this category for the upcoming season. As with all of the teams mentioned before, the Titans were big players during the offseason, adding former rushing champ DeMarco Murray. They also shored up a porous offensive line via the draft. Staying upright will go a long way in helping this sophomore quarterback having improved fantasy value this year.
- Tony Romo COWBOYS
Most sleepers are players who haven’t yet fulfilled their potential. Romo is not in this group. The Cowboys’ signal caller is in the “Comeback” sleeper category. He has put up above average fantasy stats in years past, but injuries have severely hampered him in recent seasons. This could be Romo’s last chance to be a factor in the league, so he’s going to rely on a healthy Dez Bryant and a trio of solid running backs, including first round pick Ezekiel Elliott, to try and wrest the NFC East title away from Washington.
- Tyrod Taylor BILLS
Buffalo finished 8-8 in 2015 partly because of Taylor’s running ability. He set the Bills’ rushing record for a quarterback with 568 yards. He threw 20 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions in his first full year as a starter. If running back LeSean McCoy can return to form and wide receiver Sammy Watkins continues to improve, then this dual-threat QB could have a breakout 2016.
- Jared Goff RAMS
The ultimate sleeper is a rookie. With no NFL experience, a rookie must be evaluated by taking into account his college resume and the quality of the team that drafted him. The Rams traded up in this year’s draft to make Goff the second pick. Obviously, L.A. thinks Goff did enough at Cal to make him their franchise leader. His supporting cast includes a top five defense, a dynamic receiver in Tavon Austin, and the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2015, running back Todd Gurley. These factors make me believe that Goff will have a better rookie season than the number one pick Carson Wentz, making him an ideal sleeper quarterback in 2016.
Waiting to draft a quarterback is a bold strategy. However, if you can hit on one of these sleepers then the rest of your roster should put your team in position for greatness. Good luck! Hit me up on Twitter @MaahsScrambler with any questions/comments you have.
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